Household gas prices increased 18% in first half of 2022 – Destatis

The price of gas in Germany on average increased by 17.7 percent for private households and 38.9 percent for businesses and other large consumers in the first half of this year compared to the second half of 2021, said the statistical office Destatis. Compared to households, large consumers are more affected by price increases for gas because they generally have short-term energy and gas procurement and shorter contract terms. Electricity prices rose by 1.9 percent for households and 19.3 percent for businesses in the same period. The minor increase was largely due to the reduced renewables surcharge, which had a price-dampening effect on the increase in the cost of energy and distribution, especially for private households. According to Destatis, tax on electricity prices fell by an average 15.4 percent, while the costs for energy and distribution of electricity increased by 35.6 percent for private households.

Europe is experiencing new extremes in energy price hikes, initially caused by strong demand for natural gas during the economic recovery from the coronavirus pandemic, but then exacerbated by the fallout of Russia’s war against Ukraine. Governments across the continent have introduced relief packages for citizens struggling with rising costs. The association for energy and water industries (BDEW) also regularly releases updates on gas prices for households in Germany.